Pneumatic dispatch system



` Sept. l2, 1933. F, Rl TAISEY v 1,926,565

PNEUMATIC DI SPATCH SYSTEM Filed NOV. 7, 1930 2 mouths of the terminals, usually in the form of Patented Sept. 12, 1933 PATENT om@ y l 1,926,565 l PNEtJMATrc DISPATCH SYSTEM Fred R. Taisey, Ilowell,

. Mass., assigner .to The Lamson Company, Syracuse, N. Y., a 'corporation of Massachusetts Y 23 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in pneumatic dispatch systems, and more `particularly `to a gate or similar means for closing a `carrier transit passage therein, which gate under the impact of a carriertraveling through the passageyields, opening the passage and permitw where the carriers are impelled by air pressure to close the passage and prevent entryor escape ofY i air except'wlien a carrier is lactually in transit through the passage.

applicable at the terminals of the system, permitting theintroduction o1 theejection ofr a carrier and atthe saine time limiting to a minimum the entry orescape of the air which is of necessity attendant upon such introductionor ejection. Heretofore gates have been provided at the .doors or clappervalves. Infone'form of delivery vterminal the gate is opened by the impact of the` carriers `as they are, vdischarged and, being a unitary plate` hinged to the VterminaLis accordingly swung wide open, 'permittingentry or escape of` considerable air. In another form kof delivery terminal the door is opened'manually when the arrival of a `carrier at the terminal has been in-` dicated audibly or otherwise. In the form of gateequipped dispatch terminal most commonly used the clapper valve must be raised before the carrier can be introduced and this is usually a man- Y A and which is opened by the' impact of the travel' ing carrier, said gate including two or more Vrelathe gate is closed.

'A further object of this invention is toprovide a gate including in addition to the relatively movable plates a tube, the wallsof'which 5 dene the passage and with which the plates contact when in the closed position,'and means lfor carrying the p1ates,lwhich means are pivotl ally supported and which the carrier Viii-transit impacts to-open the gate.

Other objects of the invention will appear fromY a consideration of the following specication The deviceV is particularlyl .The tubes 11 and 12 here shown are circular and tubes.

tively `movable plates-which are in contact whenl taken in connection withthe drawing which forms a part thereof and in which is illustrated the application `of this Vinvention to a dispatch or inlet terminal of a pneumatic dispatch system.

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a dispatch terminal embodying this invention;

Fig.'` 2 isf a longitudinal sectional view,k on Va larger scale, taken alongthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and showing the terminal withthe gate closed; s,

Fig. 3 isa View similar to. Fig. 2 illustrating the terininalwith the gate open, a. carrier having been partly introduced; y

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken alongthe line flffl of Fig. 3, the Valveplates being omitted; andV Figs. 5 isla Viewy "similar to Fig.` 2 but on a smaller scale illustrating a receiving terminal tially rectangular in conformation,` as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, andwhich comprises an outer casing 10, an Vupper tube 11 and a lower tube 12.

of the same diameter arranged in alignment, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the-drawing, so that the walls thereof define the transit carrier passage 13. The terminal is mounted upon the end of a transit tube 14 inthe usual mannen In the walls of the uppertube 11-l are formed diametrically opposed slots 15 through which are' free to travel straps lpivotally mounted at their upper ends upon rods 17. The lower end 18 of each vstrap 16 is bentsubstantiallyat right anglesy 90 to the body of the strap and to it is secured a plate 20.Whi'chv will hereafter be referred toas-a valve plate.".-,As shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, the valveplates 20 are free to reciprocate in the space 21 between the upper and lower '95 The lower tube 12 terminates at its upper end in a pair of inclined seats 22against which the valve plates 20 rest when the passage is closed and the terminal is not in use (see Fig. 2). Suitably formed springs23 are provided to hold the plates normally in the position shown in Fig. 2

l with abutting edges in contact and resting upon the vseats 22 so that the gate which comprisesthe` plates and associatedl elementsY closesv the pas- The straps 16 when the gate is closed projectV Vinto the path of travelof a carrier and-under impact of the carrier" are forced outwardly'into the casing 10 to permit the carrier to advance through theV passage 13 into the transit in Iig. 3 ofthe drawing vin which a carrier 25 is shown partially introduced into the are accordingly removed from their normal posiintroduced into the transit tube: Assoon as the carrier passes the strapsl-S, the plates willbe quicklyreturne'd to the normal position, andthe gate will close the passage 13.

In Fig. 5 `is illustrated a receiving terminal 30.

Y to which` carriers are suppliedby a transit tube 31 and from which the carriers are 'delivered throughan outlet32. A by-pass is provided in 'mouth or" the terminal, and thevalve plates 20 g 'tions so that the carrier canfbe without difficulty Y the usual mannerl which` connects with the tubev 3l through opening 33 abovethe valve plates 35.

The plates 35 normally'nclose thepassage from the tube 31 to the outlet'32 and are`"supp.oited upon straps 36 with which the heads ofthe ar- 20 riving carriers'contact so that the plates 35 are separated and the carriers: pass on to` the'V outlet Itwill'be` understood that various changesin form and construction may be fmade'as, for example, the casingv 10 may be integralwith one or both tubes or the'tubes may be loval or rectangular to provide a passage whichwill conform with y the contour of the carriers to beJ transported by the system. Moreover, `while'the invention has Y been shown and describedasjappliedto ra dispatchfor inlet termin'aLit is not .limited thereto* ubut may be'applied to a delivery or outlet terminal or elsewhere throughout the system"wherever-Y it is desire'dto employ a gate'normallyclosing the transitcarrier'passage, which gate -isopened by the impact of a carrier in transit, without'def parting from the spirit and scope jof the invention as set forth inthe Vfollowing claims.

Y Iclaim: y

1. In a pneumatic dispatch systemv including a transit tube throughwhicha carrier may travel,

Y Y 1,926,565 Vtube- 14. This ,operation is clearly shown arable rne'ans supported by one tube for normally engaging the other tube and closing said passage,

which means are automatically shifted to open the. passage by contact with the tube supported portion of `a carrier traveling therethrough.

5, YIn a 'pneumatic dispatch system,l including a transit 'tube through which a carrier may travel, ,a,casing including r`two longitudinally spaced tubes in alignment with said transittube andV forming a passag'ethereto through the casing, one of said tubes having longitudinal slots extending from the inner end thereo, and a gate comprisingA straps movable in the slots of one tube 'and a pair of means` carried byfsaid straps and movable relatively to each otherand to the passage for.' normally vclosing'v saidA passage at the, inner end of-the other tube, whichnmeans are` automatically shifted to openthe passageby contact with the straps of a carriertraveling through the slotted tube into the casing passage.

6. In apneumatic dispatch system, including,

a transitv tube through which a carrier may travel,V

a casing including two longitudinally spaced tubes 'in alignment with saidV transit tube and: forming .a passagethereto through thecasing, one of said tubesA having longitudinal slots extending froml the innerl end thereof.A and agate insaid casing normally'closing said passageat the inner end-of theA othervtube and includingV straps supported by said slotted tube andmovable inthe slotsthere of andseparable 'plates carried by said straps.

4 and relatively movable, which plates separate un-l a. casing including two longitudinally spacedA tubes in alignment withsaid transit tube and forming a passage thereto through the casingv and a gate in said casing normally closing said which in contact withone of `said casing tubes close the passage, and which separate under impact uponthe gate of a carrier traveling through travel. I 1 Y n Y Y 2. In a pneumaticldispatch system including a transit'tube through which a carrierrnay travel, a casing including two longitudinally spaced tubes in alignmentwith said transit tube and forming Ytherpa'sfsage to permit thecontinuance of such a passage thereto throughthejcasing and a gate Y in's'aidcasing normally closing said passage and t' through the passage including a pair oi' separable j plates which inV YContact withone `of said casing tubesclose the at one end to the other of said casing tubes and saidv plates being adapted to separateunder impact upon the straps of a carrier traveling of such travel:v

"3. In a pneumatic dispatch. system, including n. atransit .tube throughwhich a'carriver may travel, 7o

derliinpactluponsthe straps of a carrier traveling through the slotted tube into the casing passage to permitthe continuance of such travel.

7. In apneumatic dispatch system, including a.` transit tube through whichacarriermay travel,"

passage and including a pail. of Sepambe plates a casingincluding .two longitudinally spacedtubes in alignment with saidzitransit tube. and .forming .a passage. .thereto .through .the casing, one ,of'said tubes having longitudinal slots extending from the,

inner endthereof and a .gate in saidcasingfnor# i mally closing said fpassagaat-V the innert endof passage, anda pair oi strapspivotally mounted to permit the" ccilgitinuance a casing including two longitudinally v spacedl f tubes in alignment. with said transit tube and.

forming a passage" thereto through the casing and agate comprising separableimeans supported by one tubei for normally. engaging the other tube' andy.vlosihesedirassage. ,thigh @einem auto-i the other-:tube and `includingcstraps supported-by saidslotted tubeJ and movable in the slots thereof `anda pair of separableA plates; carried by1said,V

'straps and relatively movable and means for hold-l ing said.. plates. in contact ,acrossthey passage, which platesseparate under vimpact upon. the straps of a carrier traveling vthrougirtheslotted tube intoV .theqcasingr passagetor permitthe ,con

acasing including ,twolongitudinally spaced. tubes inalignrnent with` said transitgtube and forming'4 a passage thereto through the,casing,onepfgsaid'i` tubes. havinslonsitudinal. Slots. extending from .the inner end thereof anda gate in said casing normally. dosing Said f passage.,- at the inner. -end Oiihenther tube and indudinsstrapssupported...

by. Said..,Slettedubeand .movable .in the .slots I' thereof. and separableplstesparried by said straps andreiativelrmev bieiwhih, plates meet. across the passage and close ,the samagandrfwhich seppassage to permit the continuance of such travel. f 9. In a pneumatic dispatch system, in combirnation with 'a transit tubeV of a terminal comprising a casing having a passage therein through which a carrier may travel, a tube, thewalls of Which-denne a `portion of said passage, said tube having inclined seats at one end and restingat the other end upon the end ofthe transittube to forma continuation thereof Vand a gate normally closing said passage and'including plates movably vmounted inrsaid casing which normally coact with the tube seats to close 'the passage,

' said plates beingautomatically shifted to openv the passage under impact uponr the `gate of a carrier traveling therethrough.`

10. In a pneumatic dispatch system, in combination with a transittube of a terminal-comprisclose the passage, said plates being separated from the seats to openY the passage un-` der impact upon the gate of a carriertraveling ing a casing having a passage therein through v vhich a carrier may travel, a tube, the walls of which define a portion of said passage said tube having inclined seats at one end and resting at the other end upon the end of the transit tube to form a continuation thereof, a gate normally l closing said passage and including'plates pivotally supported Within said casingA and'movable relative to each other, andmeans for holding said plates normally in contact With'the tube seats to therethrough.

l1. In a pneumatic dispatch systemin combination with a transit tube of a terminal comprising a casing having a passage therein -through which a carrier may travel, a tube, the

walls of which denne a portion of -said passage VVsaid tube having inclined seats at one end and resting at the otherend upon the end ofthe transit tube to form a continuation thereof, a gate'normally closingsaid passage and including plates pivotally supported within said casing and movable relative to each other, and means for f holding said plates normally in contact with each other and with the tube seats to close the passage, said plates being automatically separated from each other to open the passage underimpact upon the gate of a carrier traveling therethrough.

Within said casing, and means for holding said plates normally in contact with the tubeseats to close the passage, said plates being Vseparated from the seats to openfthe passage under impact upon the straps of a carrier traveling therethrough.. Y

' 13. In a'pneumatic dispatch system, in combination with a transit tube of a terminal comprising a casing having a passage therein through which a carrier may travel, a tube, the walls of Which denne a portion of said passage said tube having inclined seats at one end and resting at the other end upon the end of the transit tube to form a continuation thereof, a gate normally closing'said passage and including valve plates, straps each pivotally supported at one end Within said casing and carrying one of said plates at the other end, and means for holding said plates normally automatically v in contact with the tube seats to close the passage,

said plates being separated-from the seats to open f the passage under impact upon the straps of a carrier traveling therethrough. y

14. `In a pneumatic dispatchsystem, incombination with a transit tube of a terminal comprising a casing having a passage therein throughV Which-a carrier may travel, a tube, the wallsl of n Which denne a portion of said `passage said tube having inclined seats at one end and resting at the f Vother end upon ,theend ofthe transit tube to form a continuation thereof, a gate normally closing said passage and including valve plates, straps each pivotally'supported at one end Within said V casing and carrying one of said plates at theother end, and means acting upon the strapsfor holding Y said platesnormally in contact with each other Y and Withthe tube seats to close the passage;v said i Vplates'being separated from each other and from the `seats to=openrthe passage underimpact upon" the straps of a carrier traveling therethrough. l5. Ina pneumatic dispatchsystem, in combinationwith a transit tube of a dispatch terminalV comprising a casing including a pair of longitudinally spaced tubes, the Walls of which are in alignment with the transit tube to denne a passage through which a carrier may be introducedY into the transit tube, and a gate normally closing said passage and` comprising separable plates movably supported by one of said tubes and in contact With the other of said tubes when* in the closing position, said platesbeing separated upon the introduction of a carrier into the passage.

l 16."In a-pneumatic dispatch system, in combination with a transit tube of a dispatch terminal comprising a casing vincluding a pair of longitu- Adinally spaced tubes, the -wallsof which arein alignmentwith the transitvtube to denne a pasico its,

sage throughwhicha carrier may be introduced into the transit tube, a gate normally v`closing said passage and comprisingseparable plates, straps pivotally supported by one of said tubes andto which straps the plates are secured, and means to` hold said `plates yieldably in contact withthe other of saidltubes'when in closing position, said plates being separated `upon the-introduction of a carrier into the passage bythe impact ofthe carrier with said straps.

17. In a pneumaticdispatch system, in combination with a transittube of a dispatch terminal comprising a casing including a pair oi longitudinally spaced tubes, the Walls of which arein alignment with the transitA tube to define a passage through Which a carriermay be introduced into the transit tube, a gate normally closing said passage and comprising separable plates, straps pivotally supported by one of said tubes and to which straps the plates are secured, andfmeans acting upon said straps to hold said plates yieldably in contact With the other of said tubes when l? in closing position, said plates being separated upontheintroduction of a carrier into the passage by the impact of thecarrier with said straps.

18. Ina pneumatic dispatch system the combination with a transit tubeof a dispatch terrninal comprising a casing including a pair of longitudinally spacedA tubes, the Walls of which are in 1 alignment with the transit tube to define a passage through which a carrier may be introduced into the transit tube, a gate normally closing said passage and comprising separableplates, and straps pivotally supported by oneoi` said tubes, and to which straps the plates are secured, the other of said tubes being provided at its inner end with inclined seats, and means to hold the plates yield-- ably lin contact `with the 'seats when in closing position, said plates beingA separatedfrom the seats upon the introduction of a carrier into the transit tube by the impact of the carrier with said straps. i

19. Ina pneumatic dispatch system the combination with a transit tube of a dispatch terminal comprising a casing including a pair of longitudinally spaced tubes, the Walls of Which are in alignment with the transitftube to define a passage through which a carrier may be introduced into passage and comprising separable plates, andv straps pivotally supported by one of `said tubes,l

the transit tube,'a4 gate normally closing said andto which straps the platesA are secured, the other of said tubes being providedat Aits inner end with inclined seats, and means to holdthe plates tubeby the impact of the carrier with said straps. .Y 2G. In a pneumatic dispatch system the combi- Y nation with a transit tube of a dispatch terminal, 'comprising a casing including a pair of longitudi- .nally spaced tubes, the Walls of which are in alignmentv with the transit `tube to denne a passage through which a carrier may be introduced intothe transit tube, one of said tubes having therein vided at its innerre'nd With inclined seats, and a-l gate normally closing the passage and comprisingv separable plates, straps pivotally supported by theI slotted tube to swing through the slots therein and il to -hold the plates yieldably'inrcontact With the'y tube seats' when in closing fposition, said plates yieldably in Contact with the seats and with each other When in closing position, said-plates being f" separated from the seats and from each other upon the introduction of a carrier into the transit longitudinal 'slotsfextendingirom the inner end thereofv andthe other of saidtubes being proto Which straps the plates are secured, and means4 'being separated from the seats upon the introducofthecarrier with said straps.

21. In a pneumatic dispatch system the combition of a carrier into the transit tube by the impact ynation with a transit tube of a 'dispatchterminal comprising a casingY including a pair of longi-U tudinallysspaced tubes, the wallsof which are in: alignment with thetransit tube todene a passage ythroughWhicha'carriermay vbe introduced intol the transit tube, one of said tubes having therein `longitudinal slots extending from the inner end thereof andthe other of said tubes being provided at its inner end with inclined seats,Y anda gate normally closing the passage and comprising separableplates, straps pivotally supported by the" slotted tube to rswing through the. slots therein and te which straps the plates aresecured, .and means to hold `thel plates yieldably vin* contact with the tube seats and with each other WheninclosV 1 ing positiomsaid plates being separated from-.the

seatsnand from each otherupon the introduction Aof ya carrier'into the transit tubeby the impact of the carrier with said straps.

,ci thetjubesaid platesbeing separated upon the impact oi a carrier Vtraveling through the slotted tube upcnthe straps therein.

.723. In a pneumatic dispatch system including a y,transit tube,acasing including two longitudinally spaced tubes in alignment With said transit tube `and forming a passage theretoy through the cascneiof .said tubes yhaving 4longitudinal slots extending from the inner end Vthereof *andthe -other of said tubes being provided With inclined seats ati the inner end and Ya gate/in said casing for closing the passage therethroughsaid gate comprising separable plates normally resting upon the tube seats `and straps, on whichsaid plates are mounted, pivotally supported at oneendto said slotted tube andY normally passing through said `slots into, the interior -of'that tube, said plates being separated'frorn saidl seats uponA the impact of a carrier traveling through the slotted tube uponthe straps therein;

A FRED a. TAIsEY. 

